Visitation Thursday For Student Who Died After Soccer Injury

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Posted: 8:38 AM Sep 3, 2008
Last Updated: 12:38 PM Sep 4, 2008
Reporter: Dave Spencer
Email Address: dave.spencer@wkyt.com

53 comments

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Grief counselors were on hand Wednesday after a student at George Rogers Clark High School died.

Clark County Superintendent Ed Musgrove says the student was 14-year-old freshman McKenna Hatchett.

The family's Mt. Zion Christian Church Pastor Kenny Speakes spoke with us on behalf of the grieving family, saying she'll be remembered for her big smile.

Others wrote words of love and remembrance on a banner that now hangs in the halls of George Rogers Clark High School.

Speakes says she was a member of the Church Youth Group and a baptized believer in Jesus Christ.

Speakes says she injured her hip last week while playing soccer. She didn't improve and was told by a doctor to go to UK Hospital for treatment. She died there on Tuesday afternoon.

The Fayette County coroner says it appears she may have died from a staph infection. Since staph is considered a natural cause of death, there will not be an autopsy.

Grief counselors were also on hand at a middle and elementary school where the girl's siblings reportedly attend.

Visitation for McKenna Hatchett is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Mount Zion Christian Church in Winchester.

Her funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, also at the church. Burial will follow at Clarmont Memorial Gardens.

The family requests contributions be made to the George Rogers Clark Girl's Soccer Team. The school is located at 620 Boone Ave., Winchester, Ky., 40391.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Brooke Location: ????? on Dec 17, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I am a friend of Mckenna's and I miss her so much! I am also a friends with ramsey and kayden when i hugged them both i told them i loved and they both said "I love you 2"

Posted by: kaelin Location: winchester on Oct 24, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Mckenna was so amazingg in everything she did. i've known her for a very long time and she has been like a sister to me for many years. i miss her more and more everyday.. this freshman year has been hard and is yetfull to get harder.. i love you mckenna, missy, tim, kayden, and ramsey.

Posted by: jamie Location: brea on Sep 10, 2008 at 10:06 AM
i understand all of her best freinds i lost two of my best freinds on march 22 08 and it was the worse day of my life allthough we may never 4 get this but we gotta think about our familys and our selfs and live happy lke kenna and our lost love ones and live the way they would want us to live happy and live life to its fullest dont take life as a joke or for granted if any of her family or freinds wanna tlk just email me and i will help you to the best of my abilty thanks and may god blees you

Posted by: Tonya Location: McCreary on Sep 8, 2008 at 10:36 AM
This is so sad. You never know what is going to hapen. My thoughts and prayers go out to this family.

Posted by: Kenneth Location: S.E. Ky on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:30 AM
May God bless this family..

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Prayers with the family.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:58 PM
to the person that posted on the 4th. It sounds like to me that you just want to keep your kid at home and get some o poor baby and get glory from a childs death. You kind of people make me sick.

Posted by: pikegal Location: pikeville on Sep 7, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Don't you people know the difference between staff and staph? May God bless this family...

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Sep 6, 2008 at 08:13 AM
To Posted by: ???????? Location: winchester on Sep 4, 2008 at 06:23 AM -"...staff has been all over the school."? Yes, that is what they get paid for. Now STAPH on the other hand...

Posted by: amanda dennis her best friend Location: somewhere on Sep 5, 2008 at 05:10 PM
this girl is my best friend, we used to run around mt. zion with each other for hours on end, and at her house we would ride the 4wheeler up and down her drive way, and give each other driving tests, i know the hatchets are greiving, who couldnt after knowing that you will never see Ms. Smiley for a long time, we all know we will see her again up in heaven, and today at the funeral when she was being buried it started to rain, and i said to my mom "that is god's way of saying that he is sad she had to go, but hes happy she is with him", when i found out that my best friend had died, i thought it was just a bad dream. At the visitation and funeral, it was my worst nightmare, knowing that i wont get to see her for a long time, and wat really made me cry was at the visitation, her dad said to me "i know she loved you and i know that you loved her" and then the pastor said " amanda you have to find the best in everyday, she is in a better place now" kenna this isnt goodbye its a c'ya later.

Posted by: Donna Location: Winchester on Sep 5, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Some of these comments are totally ridiculous! To those of you who are questioning the credibility of the parents, let me tell you something...they loved their child tremendously and made all of the necessary steps to get her the proper medical attention!(Including seeing physicians in the ER right away and constant phone calls to the ER throughout the weekend)Keep in mind that you have only heard a portion of what actually happened to this young girl. They are a great Christian family and they only need loving support (not criticism!) during this terrible time in their life. McKenna was a wonderful daughter, sister and friend and will be missed tremendously! May all of our prayers go out to the Hatchett family.

Posted by: brittany on Sep 5, 2008 at 04:42 PM
We are all heart broken from such a great loss. Mckenna was an awesome person and a great friend to many people. We will all feel her with us at our games and practices. The freshmen students today showed great respect for the Hatchett family and others that are hurting. That meant so much to many of us. So keep the Hatchett family in all of your prayers not only this week,but in the weeks to come. We love you Mckenna!

Posted by: Maria Location: Winchester, Kentucky on Sep 5, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I've known the Hatchett Family for many years-we went to church together.My younger brother was a classmate and friend of McKenna's.I have read through many of the comments listed below and it's so sad what some of you are saying.If you knew this family,you'd know they aren't worried about suing a school system,they just want their little McKenna back.This family will dedicate the rest of their life in memory of beautiful McKenna and celebrating the life of their two youngest girls.And if any of you are worried about your child's safety at GRC, you need to contact the school. This is not the place or time for those comments.As for the school system, I commend you for your wonderful efforts during this difficult time. You couldn't have handled this better. You were really there for the students and they couldn't have gotten through it without your help. For people reading this, please pray for the Hatchett family and our community.This is a tragic loss for everyone that knew Mckenna.

Posted by: Connie on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:57 PM
This is a terrible thing to happen. God Bless this family. If there is anything that good that can come out of this, it would be: We all need to remember that we DON'T know what tomorrow will bring. So, please treat everyone with respect, and let your loved ones know that you LOVE them.McKenna was a good christian girl, lets all come together for little McKenna!God Bless you Honey and your family and friends!

Posted by: Lori Location: London on Sep 5, 2008 at 11:07 AM
How I pray for your family and friends that God will help get each of you thru this. I look at my own children and just cry for the parents of this child. My sould hurts for you. And to image what you are going thru right now would be unbearable. MY prays are with you. I pray God gives you comfort doing this time. Heaven has added a beautiful angel to it's team. God bless you.

Posted by: kathy turner Location: everts on Sep 5, 2008 at 08:42 AM
child death

Posted by: Lisa Location: Ky on Sep 4, 2008 at 09:43 PM
I heard of your daughters untimely death as I watched my 15 year old daughter's soccer game tonight. My heart breaks for your family.Every bruise and bump my kids encounter, I will think of your wonderful daughter. God Bless.

Posted by: Karen Location: pikeville on Sep 4, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Sometimes God needs little angels as well as old ones. May God comfort you in the days ahead. God bless her school, remember them in your prayers>

Posted by: Becca Location: winchester on Sep 4, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Mckenna was the most sweetest and nicest girls on our soccer team and in this world. She showed so much potential on and off the field. She was very bright and she had a great life ahead of her. We all ask ourselves why. Its hard to realize that this is real. Our community and school have been sooo supportive during this whole thing. It makes me proud to say that our town and school took GREAT steps during this time. To set the record straight, our school DID have a moment of silence and counselors and pastors have been with all this week to help us at this time. Our boys and girls soccer teams and others all came together to remember Mckenna and comfort each other. Our principal also sent home a letter with my fellow classmates about Mckenna and about the precautions they took. So YES the school did mourn and we are still mourning. Mckenna, we miss and love you so much. I cant wait to see you and your smiling face again someday in Heaven. You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers. #20

Posted by: amanda Location: richmond on Sep 4, 2008 at 06:11 PM
omg thats not good!!!!!!

Posted by: Mom of a soccer player Location: Winchester on Sep 4, 2008 at 05:57 PM
I am so sorry for your loss. It is a shock to us all. Please know that there is nothing that you could have done differently that would have made a difference. God takes us when he is ready for us and nothing man can do will change this. You are in our thoughts and prayers and know that her teammates at GRC on the boys and girls teams will always carry her in their hearts. Our love to you

Posted by: sierra Location: lexington on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:36 PM
This is a very sad and terrible loss; I pray for this childs family. However, I'm a little concerned that it "appears" she died from a staph infection yet no autopsy is being done. Also, if this child was injured playing a school sport should'nt she have been seen by a physician right away? Staph is usually treatable with antibiotics and wound care. I read that she was told to go to UK hospital, who told her that and why did they wait so long? Somehow I think the school dropped the ball on this one, they should probably start talking to their lawyers. When this family regains their composure, they'll be talking to theirs.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Berea on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:30 PM
My daughter who plays for Mad. Southern H.S. JV and Foley Middle School played GRC recently in a tournament in Richmond. I am touched how much McKenna and her family love soccer and GRC's girls soccer team and team members:) I pray for her family to try to find peace somewhere in knowing that their daughter touched lives of people who were only blesses to see her on the soccer field. You and your family are in the thoughts and prayers of many opponents that she played, and their families.

Posted by: Mother of a Boy Soccer Player Location: Prestonsburg on Sep 4, 2008 at 11:55 AM
The loss of a child are difficult shoes for parents to have to walk down that road in. My heart goes out to your family. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God Bless your family.

Posted by: mother Location: berea on Sep 4, 2008 at 11:24 AM
thats weird !! the family needs to find out what happened and get alot of questions answered!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Donna Location: West Liberty, Ky on Sep 4, 2008 at 11:00 AM
I think they need to be tied up and tourched some everyday until they die- let them feel what's it's like to be tourched!! This is one trial I would love to be a juror -Justice must be served in this case for the little girl. It has become to easy to kill you child - then get a slap on the wrist for it!!! This makes me sick to my stomach!!!!

Posted by: annonymous Location: Winchester on Sep 4, 2008 at 09:59 AM
My daughter had staff when she was 20 months old and had to be hospitalized. We still don't know where she got it. My thoughts and prayers are with this family at their time of loss.

Posted by: ???????? Location: winchester on Sep 4, 2008 at 09:23 AM
I have a child that goes to GRC and I think that the school needs to be cleaned after staff has been all over the school. My child had a class with McKenna and now my child is sick. I think the school board needs to shut down the school and something about it.

Posted by: Kelsey Jo Location: winchester on Sep 4, 2008 at 07:15 AM
Dear McKenna, where ever you are know this. you were loved and still are. your smile and laugh could light up anybodys day. you were so sweet ! at school today no-bodys going to laugh, or even tomorrow. we will be cryin g out for you Mckenna. until we see you again . you were the best friend anybody could have. but every day we will all wonder why you?? why now? ? why. but just know you were the best, and we love you! RIP Mckenna Hatchett 9/ 2/09 if you loved McKenna forward this on...even post it to your page if you care enough. when sombody loses some one that you dont know, you help them through their time of need. but when some one is gone and was friends with anybody she/ he meets . whos there to help you? we love you alot ♥kelsey jo

Posted by: kaelin on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:57 PM
thats my best friend! i pray for her

Posted by: anonymous Location: lexington on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:53 PM
The death of this child is a terrible loss for the family, the school and community. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, schoolmates and church family. She sounded like a sweet person with a bright future. I am so sorry this happened and hope the healing can begin for everyone.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Richmond on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:51 PM
A 14 year old dies and no one does an autopsy based on an a guess at the cause of death?? That doesn't sound right. I think I would want to know for sure one way or another if I were her parents.

Posted by: Dreamz Location: Winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Missing McKenna already! the school did nothen to mourn for her AT all! as for a student who gets burnt in a fire and does not die gets mourning!

Posted by: kelsey Location: winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:35 PM
RIP kenna, i love you & miss you always !

Posted by: jan Location: Pikeville on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:25 PM
My heartfelt prayers are with the family of this young girl. God Bless you

Posted by: Kynurse Location: Lexington on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:19 PM
I just want to say how deeply sorry I am to the family and friends of Brooke. You will be in my prayers.

Posted by: Jonathan Location: Ky on Sep 3, 2008 at 08:47 PM
How and where did this girl get a staph infection?

Posted by: Sydney Location: winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 08:47 PM
hatchetts, you guys are a great christian family and i know you guys will make it with your strong faith.. I luv u McKenna!!!! i will continue to pray for you and your family!!!

Posted by: connie Location: paris on Sep 3, 2008 at 08:37 PM
may God be with you

Posted by: THINKING OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILEY Location: MT.STERLING on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:58 PM
SOUNDS LIKE WE LOST A WONDERFULL YOUNG LADY BUT HEAVEN GAINED AN ANGEL BUT DEATH IS NOT FOREVER

Posted by: megab rowland Location: stanton on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:32 PM
i love and miss you Mckenna.You will be dearly missed and your are in my thought and prays.I known Kenna for a long time and i know how her little sister feels because i can say i know becuase i losted my brother and my best friend 5 months ago (Brian Rowland & Billy Eversole). R.I.P Kenna Your In A Better Place Now Wacthing Over All Of Us

Posted by: Megan Rowland Location: Stanton on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:15 PM
i have known Mckenna for a long long time.She was the sweetiest girl ever and i love her so muc.You will never find another one like her.Its so sad and i can say that i know what her little sisters are feel because i losted my brother and my best friend (Brian Rowland And Billy Eversole).Her family is in my thought and prays. I love You and Miss You Mckenna

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:00 PM
we miss you kenna.

Posted by: sabra lynn Location: flemingsburg on Sep 3, 2008 at 06:00 PM
my heart goes out to the greiving family and friends of McKenna. i can say i know exactly how you feel losing someone close. im sure shes up in heaven smiling down on everyone.\

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 3, 2008 at 05:48 PM
kenna was a great girl. she never did anthing to nobody and was just the sweetest thing she was just always smiling im gonna misss her i had almost every class with her and it just feels so wrong without her. im so sorry for kenna family and i hope you all know that alot love is being sent to you all and my prayers go to you all.

Posted by: joann Location: mt vernon on Sep 3, 2008 at 05:27 PM
God Bless this family. And may this little girl R.I.P. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 3, 2008 at 05:08 PM
i am in the health care field and i know that staff is in the community itself and it saddens me that a child lost thier life due to this infection it is terrible and is treatable when reconized and treated properly.

Posted by: Mother of a Girl Soccer Player Location: Eastern Ky on Sep 3, 2008 at 05:01 PM
My heart grieves for you in this terrible time of loss. The Family request of donations to be sent to the Soccer Team demonstrates values and character and it tells the world the kind of person this young lady must have been.

Posted by: dylan Location: winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I thought it was sad but the school didn't take the right precautions . They should have a "Moment of silence". After the pledge allegiance but they didn't even do that. And they also should have gave the students that were close to this nice person and let them take a day off from school to get there self back . But the school didn't do there part and i wont be surprised if "Clark Regional" Don't get a lawsuit on them.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Mt. Sterling on Sep 3, 2008 at 04:01 PM
This family is awesome, and has a lot of support. We are praying for them, and know many around the world are right now. If you guys are reading this, we are so saddened for you, and love you all.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Georgetown on Sep 3, 2008 at 03:46 PM
May God bless and comfort you at this time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Duncan Hall Location: Lexington on Sep 3, 2008 at 01:18 PM
This is very sad news and I pray for the family and the friends of this young lady. God knows best and we have to leave it at that.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 12:35 PM
this is a wonderful family full of love and values please confort them in this time of sorrow god will be them thru this time

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 3, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I am so sorry for your lose....

Posted by: Sadden Mother Location: Winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 12:07 PM
My prayers are with this Family. God bless them.

Posted by: TJ Location: Winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:31 AM
My daughter went to middle school with her last year, she was a beautiful bright young lady, such a sad loss, my thoughts and prayers are with this family.

Posted by: Wendy Johnson Location: Winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:58 AM
My heart breaks for this childs family. May God hold them up and help them through this sad time. My family sends its deepest condolences.

Posted by: a mom Location: Winchester on Sep 3, 2008 at 09:09 AM
My daughter said this poor girl died of a staph infection. God be with her family and friends at this difficult time.

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